London police will deploy additional officers on Saturday as right-wing, anti-immigration activists and anti-racism campaigners stage rival demonstrations, heightening concerns of possible clashes.
The “Unite the Kingdom” march, organised by anti-immigration and anti-Muslim activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, better known as Tommy Robinson, is set to gather near Waterloo Bridge before moving to Whitehall’s southern end for a rally.
A counter-demonstration, organised by “Stand Up To Racism”, is expected to convene at the opposite end of Whitehall, the main route towards parliament. The Unite the Kingdom march is also due to pay tribute to U.S. conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot dead while speaking at a Utah university on Wednesday.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed barriers will be in place to keep the groups apart, with more than 1,600 officers deployed across the capital, including 500 drafted in from outside forces. Around 1,000 will be assigned specifically to the protests, while others will cover major football fixtures, concerts and other events.
Commander Clair Haynes, who is overseeing the policing operation, said: “We will treat these demonstrations as we do any others – policing without fear or favour, enabling people to exercise their lawful rights while responding firmly to any offences that may occur.”
The operation comes a week after nearly 900 people were arrested at a London protest against the ban on the group Palestine Action. Immigration has since overtaken economic concerns as Britain’s most pressing political issue, with record asylum applications and over 28,000 migrant arrivals by small boat this year. In response, Prime Minister Keir Starmer last week appointed Shabana Mahmood as Home Secretary in a government reshuffle.
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